"April, April..."

April 2006 - Are countries becoming wise or are we stuck on April Fool's Day?

Whether France was wise to have permitted the mass immigration of people culturally very different from its own population to solve a temporary labor shortage and to assuage its own abstract liberal conscience is disputable: there are now an estimated 8 or 9 million people of North and West African origin in France, twice the number in 1975—and at least 5 million of them are Muslims. Demographic projections (though projections are not predictions) suggest that their descendants will number 35 million before this century is out, more than a third of the likely total population of France.

Was the United States wise to not enforce immigration laws over past decades to solve a labor shortage:" The Pew Hispanic Center used Census Bureau data to estimate that the United States had 11.1 million illegal immigrants in March 2005. The center used monthly population estimates to project a current total of 11.5 million to 12 million. " (AP writer) Stephen Ohlemacher.

"Most countries have laws requiring workers to have proper documentation, often intended to prevent the employment of illegal immigrants. However the penalties against employers are not always enforced consistently and fairly, which means that employers can easily use illegal labor. Agriculture, construction, domestic service, restaurants, resorts, and prostitution are the leading legal and illegal jobs that illegal workers are most likely to fill. For example, it is estimated that 80% of U.S. crop workers are without valid legal status. Illegal immigrants are especially popular with employers because they can violate minimum wage laws secure in the knowledge that illegal workers dare not report their employers to the police.
Some members of the public react negatively to the presence of immigrants, whether legal or illegal, and such sentiments are often exploited politically. However, allegations that the presence of illegal immigrants means increased rates of crime and unemployment are conversely attacked as "anti-immigrant" or "xenophobic" to exploit the opposite political mentality. When the authorities are overwhelmed in their efforts to stop immigration, they may issue periods of amnesties (often called regularization, earned legalization or guest worker programs). (Wikipedia)

Illegal immigration is a crime. Are countries wise to decriminalize illegal immigration? We see laughter and mockery of police by illegals as they demonstrate in France. In the United States they demand to be treated as equal to those who came into the country legally. Do children know better than adults what are best for them? What are the consequences for this policy? These are serious questions and they do have resonable answers.

"April, April - laugh thy girlish laughter: / Then the moment after, / Weep thy girlish tears!" --- William Watson

"Hated by fools...

"Hated by fools,and fools to hate,
Be that my motto and my fate." -Swift

A song I used to sing as a child said in part - "be kind to your web-footed friends in the swamp,
where the weather is cold and domp..."

Reminds me of the "fever swamps of Washington" as Wesley Pruden of the Washington Times calls our National Capitol today. Any one who has spent any amount of time in this political jungle can relate to the "fever" aspect that is 24/7 inside the beltway.

The 2006 election cycle is in full swing with the no holds barred 2008 contest looming large. The fever comes upon all politicians when they are overcome by that all important question - "What must I do to win?" Which brings us to our quote of the day.

Every elected official believes in their heart of hearts that only a "fool" could hate them. Why? Some of the greatest men in history were hated for doing good. Allow me yet another quote.

"For him who would teach the world
The world holds hate in fee-
For Socrates, the hemlock cup;
For Christ, Gethsemane." - Don Marquis, Wages

The second part of today's quote is "fools to hate." Does hate make one a fool? Most say it does; and not only that, it eats from the inside out. Many Communist and Muslims have shown hate toward President Bush today. "Down with Bush!" and "Death to Bush!" signs were displayed in India. India is the world's largest Democracy. Freedom of speech is guaranteed - except some cartoons. When did it become acceptable to KILL those who disagree with your religion?

Many of us in America that are against hating our fellow man are praying for our President as he travels through hate filled areas of this world. Care to join us? http://www.udata.com/users/byrd/pray.htm

Hang together or separately...

Next week is an important meeting of the RNC. There are two issues that MUST be considered together or separately; but they MUST be agreed upon, and put before the Congress.

Securing our borders is doable and MUST be done. Enforcing our immigration laws for those inside and outside our borders is doable and MUST be done. The President's "guest-worker" program is a separate issue. This program needs to be presented as a legal hiring of workers from outside our borders. They are "guests" , not illegal aliens. They are "workers" , not illegal aliens. The guests - workers must return to their individual countries after their work is completed or if they want to become citizens of America they MUST apply for citizenship.

"It's pretty clear where the American public is on this issue -- they want the border fixed. They want the government to do something about employers who hire illegal workers. I believe that's essentially where the Republican Party is," said Randy Pullen, the national committeeman from Arizona who is sponsoring the resolution, By Stephen DinanTHE WASHINGTON TIMES .

Issue one: Secure Borders. Issue two: Illegal Workers. Issue three: Guest - Worker Program. While we agree that these issues are interrelated and overlap, we do not believe that one all encompassing piece of legislation is needed or necessary. Separate issues call for separate treatment. Each must be strong in its own language and be compatible with the other related laws. The laws MUST then be enforced.